[NickRW]

We had a similar question recently about redoubles, though this is slightly different. Two of my youngsters are arguing like crazy over a disaster hand and won't listen to me. Perhaps one the other forum regulars can say something sensible they'll listen to, or at least calm them down!

Red/white, dealer South.

P - P - P - 1♣
P - 1♦-Dbl-Rdbl
P?!-P- P

The South hand was something like

♠xx
♥Jxx
♦Jxx
♣Jxxxx

The 1♣ opener (if relevant) was playing 4 card majors and weak NT, so that bid is 4+ cards and unbal if weak. The redoubler's partner shrugged their shoulders when asked what the redouble showed.

The end result was 1♦** making 4 over - oh dear!

North complains that the pass should show diamonds and a willingness to defend. South is having none of it and thinks North should have bid again anyway (North had a 4=4=2=3 shape, just short of an opener - they don't disagree that that was a suitable hand for the passed hand take out double).

So:

1) What should redouble show in this case?
2) What should the pass have shown?
3) Would you have removed the redouble to hearts or clubs?

I think I know the answer - but it will sound better coming from one of you. Thanks

Nick

[TylerE]

Full blame to north. He's expecting two passed hands to beat a one bid?

[cherdano]

Redouble shows either strength or 3 diamonds, I would prefer strength in this case.

South should have bid 1♥. Pass should show no preference between the majors, it's just too unlikely to have a hand that is sure to beat 1♦ but wouldn't overcall 1♦ a round earlier.

[ArtK78]

The pass in direct seat over a redouble at the one level is not for penalties unless the partnership has an explicit agreement to the contrary.

Normally, this occurs after the opening bid, i.e., 1♣ - x - xx - P

This pass says nothing other than I have nothing to bid. It does NOT say that I want to play 1♣xx.

The pass over the redouble of 1♦ in the auction of this post is similar. The double said to bid a major suit. The pass over the redouble says I have nothing to bid, but does not say that I want to play in 1♦xx.

And, as previously mentioned, how could South have a hand that can beat 1♦ if he could not either open the bidding or bid over 1♣?

The meaning of the redouble is a matter of partnership agreement. If it is a support redouble, it shows 3 diamonds. Otherwise, it shows power.

South should probably have bid 1♥ under the circumstances, as his partner asked him to pick a major and he has a preference. The pass means I have nothing to say.

[NickRW]

Thanks.

I think you're basically saying the rdble should show strength, South should have shown preference for a major and North should not have been so dumb as to think 1♦ was at all likely to go off. Kind of what I was trying to say to them - but at least reading your comments has provoked a quieter argument - so thanks At least I can hear myself think!

Nick

[Codo]

We had been here before.

If you belive that pass shows the willingness to defend 1 ♦ redoubled, you better don't play with Art or me.

If you want pass to show that you have no clear suit, then you better don't play with Cherdano.

In my hole lifetime I once had a hand where I had liked to sit 1 Heat redoubled, so I really think that pass as "to play" is useless here. But others obviously disagree.

For the actual hand: It is close to silly that Nort belives that everybody has his bid and Partner wants to defend 1 Diamond XX. Can you construct some hands?

[P_Marlowe]

If it is any consolidation: this is an area
were peoble disagree.

#1 power, but you may play it also as supp,
but power makes more sense
#2 to play (my feeling is the more modern trend),
or no preference (more old fashioned, what we
play)
#3 1H, why play on the 2 level and in their suit?
We have a 4-3 fit in hearts, hence I have a
preference.

With kind regards
Marlowe

[SoTired]

Since South never had a chance to pass 1D, the pass of 1DXX shows weakness and no major suit preference.
But South had a major preference for hearts, so South should bid 1H.
The XX could have been a support dbl or extra strength showing. Opps should tell you when asked.

There is a case where passing the XX is for penalties:
1S p p X
XX p!
2nd seat's 2nd pass is for penalties. Otherwise dealer could always avoid the penalty dbl by XX.